Tackling the image
of desolation
across Levenmouth

Eight dilapidated properties in Levenmouth are to receive “focused attention” from Fife Council as it looks to spruce up the area.

They were selected by local councillors and Council officials as buildings sending out a wrong message to would-be investors in our towns.

Owners of the buildings are now to be contacted and the future prospects of the buildings will be “assessed in detail”.

But there won’t be a pit of money to fix them up - in most cases the Council will not be funding improvements directly, but working with owners to help them to identify and access suitable finance to move things forward.

Fife Council says the project can work though and point to the demolition of 32 Cocklaw Street, Kelty, as being the shining example.

Councillor Lesley Laird, executive spokesman for business enterprise, economy and planning, explained the project is about making town centres vibrant places for people to work, live and visit.

She added: “This is one of a number of ways we’re trying to tackle the problem of dilapidated properties identified across Fife.

“Wherever possible Fife Council will work with owners of these properties to come up with solutions that benefit everyone, particularly the local community who, until now, have simply had to put up with these unsightly neighbours.”

He told the Mail he found the Council’s report which revealed the selected buildings “toothless”.

“There is no enforcement, no money to back it up,” he said.

“It’s right to raise the issues but what are the owners going to do when the Council chaps on their doors?

“We need real enforcement - tell them they have six months to do it or we will take it and we’ll do it up.”

Here are the eight properties that have been identified as in need of some work:

1.

Three Ways Inn - 5 North St, Leven.

2.

Ambassador Snooker Club - North St, Leven.

3.

Old Gas Showroom - Brewery Wynd, North Street, Leven.

4.

Former Stuart’s Bakery, Buckhaven.

5.

Gasometer site, Leven, off Aitken Street, Leven.

6.

Denbeath Parish Church, Den Street, Buckhaven.

7.

279 High Street, Methil.

8.

St Mary’s by the Sea Church, 14 High Street, East Wemyss.

As revealed in last week’s Mail they were selected by local councillors and Council officials as buildings sending out a wrong message to would-be investors in our towns.

Owners of the eight buildings are now to be contacted and the future prospects of the buildings will be “assessed in detail”.

But there won’t be a pit of money to fix them up - in most cases the Council will not be funding improvements directly, but working with owners to help them to identify and access suitable finance to move things forward.

Fife Council says the project can work though and point to the demolition of 32 Cocklaw Street, Kelty, as being the shining example.

Councillor Lesley Laird, executive spokesman for business enterprise, economy and planning, explained the project is about making town centres vibrant places for people to work, live and visit.

She added: “This is one of a number of ways we’re trying to tackle the problem of dilapidated properties identified across Fife.

“Wherever possible Fife Council will work with owners of these properties to come up with solutions that benefit everyone, particularly the local community who, until now, have simply had to put up with these unsightly neighbours.”